Interlocking tile



(No Model.)

a Sheefis-$heet 2. F. FURNESS. INTEELOGKING TILE.

= Patented Aug. 11, 1896. 7 1 19.6:

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" 1 Inventor:

.Franlfl fur/mass UNIT-ED STATES ATENT- EFF-ICE.

FRANK FURNESS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INTERLOCKING TILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,734, dated August 11, 1896. Application filed. January 15, 1896.. Flerial No. 575,616. (No model.)

5 tain Improvements in Interlocking Tiles, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the tiles for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the 23d day of October,

I 1894, No. 527,961.

The object of my present invention is to overcome certain objections in the tiles of the patent above mentioned; and this object I attain by forming the locks by the corners of the tiles and by staggering the joints of the adjoining rows of tiles.

By the construction which I will proceed to describe a much more satisfactory floor can be laid, and the tiles can be of rubber or linoleum and can be varied in size when out by simply spacing the cutters without having to make new dies or cutters.

A further object of my invention is to make the tiles overlap, as well as interlock, so that z 5 they can be used on ceilings or floors where it is possible to hold the tiles in place without cement and by concealed fastenings.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating IIIYIIIIPI'OVGCI tile.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2, Fig.

1. Figs. 3 and i are plan views of two of the tiles detached. Fig. 5 is a view of a strip having sockets for the reception of the tiles. Fig. 6 is a view of a tile similar to that shown in Fig. i, but elongated. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a floor or wall, illustrating my improved tile. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing interlocking and overlapping tiles secured together. Figs. 9 and 10 are detached perspective views of the tiles shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a floor or wall made up of the tiles shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Figs. 12 and 13 are perspective views of tiles similar to those shown in Fig. 8, but each made in two sections secured together.

A is the series'of tiles, quadrangular in the present instance and having heads a at each corner, connected to the body by necks a.

B are tiles which interlock with the tiles A and have recesses h at each corner for the reception of a portion of thebody of the tile A, and at the angle are sockets b, which re= ceive the heads a. Projections c conform with the necks of the tile A, so that when one tile is interlocked with another it is impossible to withdraw them.

It will be noticed that the tiles are arranged alternately in parallel lines and that the lines of separation of the several tiles of one row are not in line with the lines of separation of the other row. tiles are much more thoroughly interlocked and in no case do the longitudinally-dividing lines cross the lateral dividing lines. In my former patent the lines of division did cross each other, forming four abutting corners, which were apt to turn up, especially in linoleum, and wear away more than the main body of the tile. Furthermore, when borders are required, and in fact where strips of rubber or linoleum are desired instead of individual blocks, the joint as between the sections. B can be dispensed with and the sections made in strips, as shown in Fig. 5, and where a finish is to be made at a wall the projections on one side may be dispensed with, leaving a plain border without joints.

In making the tiles of linoleum or rubber there need be no waste, and the variegated effect can be made by combining the tiles A of one color with the tiles B of another color. Furthermore, the floor design can be varied without varying the shape of the tiles, other than making the tiles B longer or wider. For instance, as shown in Fig. 6, the length of the tile can be increased without increasing the width, thus giving an entirely different effect to the design.

The tiles A and B (shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10) are similar in many respects to that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that the heads are only half the thickness of the body of the tile and the sockets of the tiles B are only out part way through, two of the heads of each tile A being on the surface and two at the base, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, so that when the tiles A and B are coupled they not only interlock, but overlap, forming a very secure joint, the effect being clearly shown in Fig. 11.

Each tile can be secured by nails or screws driven into the heads or sockets at the base,

Thus by this construction the so that they will be concealed when the other tiles are placed in position. The tiles can be used to advantage in ceilings and walls, as the tiles cannot become detached one from another, the entire series being interlocked and held in place by the overlapping portions of the tiles.

As a modified form of the tiles A and B, the tiles A and B may be made in two sections, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, secured together, preferably, by cement, and the two sections may be made of different colors, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13, thus making a variegated floor or mat without increasing the stock of tiles on hand.

It will be understood that while I have shown in the drawings perfectly plain heads they may be ornamented, and the body of the tiles may also be ornamented when desired.

My invention is especially applicable in connection with tiles made of elastic or yieldingmaterial, but in some instances may be made of pottery or wood without departing from the main features of my invention.

I claim as my invention 1. A tile recessed at the corners and having interlocking sockets forming extensions of the recesses, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the tiles A and B, the tiles A having heads at the corners, and the tiles B being recessed at the corners and having sockets forming extensions of the recesses for the reception of the heads interlocking therewith.

3. The combination of the tiles A and B, the tiles A having heads at the corners, two of said heads being on the surface and two below the surface, the tiles B having recesses in the corners and sockets forming extensions of the recesses for the reception of the heads of the tiles A interlocking therewith, two of said sockets being formed 011 the surface of the tiles and two in the base of the tile, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK FURNESS.

Vitnesses:

\VILL. A. BARR, J 0s. H. KLEIN. 

